58 artists from across the world were handed over blank postcards instead of canvases to be part of an intimate exhibit where you can see, touch, even flip the artworks
58 artists from across the world were handed over blank postcards instead of canvases to be part of an intimate exhibit where you can see, touch, even flip the artworks
The humble postcard that once cost nothing more than 50p, is now valued between Rs 3,000 and Rs 8,000, thanks to a group of 58 artists who decided to use it as a canvas, creating works of art on 4x6 inch and 5x7 inch postcards. Card-o-logy, an art exhibition that will take place in the city, is inspired by curator Jasmine Shah Varma's interest in the dying mode of communication. "I was fascinated by the fact that picture postcards spoke of history, culture, tradition and people, and that they effectively reproduced the essence of a destination within a small format."
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A postcard by Archana Hande (TOP),Ravi Kumar (LEFT), Haren Vakil (BOTTOM) |
Card-o-logy is unique because unlike other exhibits that may intimidate the novice with the grandeur of artworks, this one promises an intimate experience, nudging the visitor to check out the art at close quarters, even touch it and flip it over to check the reverse. Each of the works are one-of-a-kind pieces.
Fifty eight artists from Mumbai, Kolkata, Baroda, Goa, Canada and New York were handed over six postcards each (measuring 4x6 inches or 5x7 inches) made from acid-free archival paper. With one side devoted to the address and a message, the artists were free to explore the blank side. Baroda-based artist Shruti Nelson decorated her water colour images with paper cuts, and Nayana Kanodia used her postcards to depict the changing faces of a woman (four cards represent youth, another four reflect ageing). Debraj Goswami's works focus on the six senses, while Dhruvi Acharya's collages are inspired by commuting in Mumbai.
Artist Brinda Miller says, "The main challenge was to fit my chain of thought on a limited canvas. I have used mixed media and added a dash of humour to all my works. Some of them have funky titles such as Fern and Leaf, and Shower and Shave."
Instead of focusing on socio-political themes like he usually does, Sunil Padwal decided to depict the fragility of human life. "Since I've worked on miniatures, I was comfortable working on a limited canvas. My postcards reflect on the fragility of life by comparing it with a butterfly's fleeting existence," he says. "Postcards have a unique personal touch, and innate charm. Despite technological advances, they will thrive as a collector's item, quite like old LPs," believes Miller.
At: Hacienda Art Gallery, Fort.
From: September 4 to September 18.
Call: 22837232.
Price Range: Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000
